Recently, the Philippines government crushed five tons of confiscated elephant tusks in a public display. The display was meant as a deterrent to smugglers and a way for the Philippines government to show a strong stance against illegal wildlife trade. This move will deter smugglers who pass through the Philippines with their illegal ivory, and may save the lives of many elephants who are poached for their ivory. The display is a very strong statement from the Philippines government, and one that should be commended.

The Philippines has been a major transit point for the illegal ivory trade. The country is also a large consumer of religious carvings made of ivory. There is approximately $50 million worth of ivory illegally traded per year, and a kilogram of ivory is worth up to $2000 on the black market. With this display, the Philippines government destroyed over 5 tons of ivory, worth $10 million. The very public act will send a clear message to smugglers that this illegal trade which kills many elephants each year will not be tolerated in the country.

The reason behind this act of destruction was so that thieves could not steal the confiscated ivory and reintroduce it to the illegal trade. For the Philippines government to keep the ivory, it could have been seen as a tacit approval of the illegal activity. By destroying the ivory, millions of dollars in illegal wildlife trade were also destroyed. This act sent a very strong message to smugglers and poachers that this illegal and immoral trade will no longer be tolerated. Applaud the Philippines government for this message.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Secretary Paje:

Recently, the Philippines government displayed the destruction of 5 tons of confiscated illegal ivory. This display was to send a message to smugglers that the illegal trade would not be tolerated in the country. In the past, the Philippines has been a major transit point for the ivory trade, as well as a large consumer of ivory carvings. With this public destruction of $10 million worth of ivory, you are sending a clear message that this illegal and immoral trade will not be tolerated.

I thank you for this display of destruction. By destroying the ivory, you are preventing it from ever re-entering the black market. The Philippines is a country that has been a major part of the ivory trade. By sending this clear message of intolerance, you will be making a substantial difference in the illegal trade. Thank you for this very public message.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

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